Tag Archives: festivals

Fredericton’s Outdoor Classic Film Series has reached a milestone and we’ve planned a Fun Family FilmFest to commemorate it. Fredericton Tourism and our partners, the NB Film CoOp and Downtown Fredericton, have put together a couple of double-feature nights, when the sun sets earlier, for the young and the young-at-heart to enjoy.

Join us for musical entertainment at 7pm, a film for the younger ones at 8pm, followed by a film for the teen-aged set stars around 9:30pm.

The 32nd annual Atlantic Film Festival (AFF) proudly launches its program from dazzling features to sizzling shorts, international sensations to Atlantic gems, the festival has movies for everyone along with a fantastic line up of special events and galas over eight action-packed days in Halifax, September 13-20.

“There are several emerging filmmakers at this year’s festival with a staggering 25 first-time features in our program, including five dramas from Halifax filmmakers alone,” said Festival Director, Lia Rinaldo. “It’s a year of discovery and these are the people to watch. They are hitting hard out of the gate and it’s a great sign of what’s to come as we see this next crop of talented filmmakers hit the global scene.”

Kicking off the festival is the Opening Gala screening of The Angel’s Share at Park Lane and Oxford Theatres on Thursday, Sept. 13, sponsored by NBCUniversal. A jury prize winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this whiskey-heist comedy was directed by critically-acclaimed UK-based director, Ken Loach, who has won a staggering 73 film awards, including Palm D’Or, BAFTA and César’s awards.

The film tells the story of an unemployed man, who is struggling to turn his life around before becoming a father. After narrowly avoiding jail, a visit to the whiskey distillery reveals his natural nose for the hard stuff. From there, he and his mates combine their talents for booze and crime in an attempt to pull off a whiskey-heist that would give all four of them enough money to start fresh.

Following Opening Night, the Atlantic Film Festival will present four more Gala screenings, including the Atlantic Gala, The Disappeared on Friday, Sept. 14, sponsored by Desjardins Financial Security. Directed by Halifax-based novelist, screenwriter and director, Shandi Mitchell, her debut feature film stars Billy Campbell and Shawn Doyle. The film tells the story of six east coast men lost at sea in two dories and etches character against an elemental urge to survive on the broad, mysterious and ever-changing Atlantic Ocean. With an ancient compass, oars and their brawny arms and wits, the men wage a desperate struggle to retain their humanity and hope.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, the AFF presents the Telefilm Canada Gala: Midnight’s Children directed by Toronto-based, India-born director, Deepa Mehta. Shot mostly in Colombo, Sri Lanka, this is an epic story of India’s independence from Britain and its painful separation into Hindu and Muslim States. The film, derived from the classic 600-page novel written by legendary author Salman Rushdie, is one of the most important films of the year and rates as essential international cinema with its sprawling cast and dynamic imagery.

The festival’s Closing Gala presentation on Thursday, Sept. 20 is the historic Scandinavian costume drama, A Royal Affair by Denmark-based director, Nikolaj Arcel. Winner of both Best Actor and Best Screenplay awards at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival, the film was set during the age of the French Revolution in the Danish Royal Court. The film tells the remarkable true story of freethinking doctor (Johann Struensee) played by Mads Mikkelsen, who somehow gets appointed as doctor to the mad King Christian VII. After falling in love with the spurned Queen, Struensee eventually has the easily led King pass legislation freeing the peasantry and loosening censorship.

Featuring the newest big films in the industry, moviegoers will want to be first in line to see the eight films comprising the 2012 Rogers Special Presentations. This year’s lineup includes Holy Motors, by France-based director, Léos Carax, Inch’Allah by Canadian director, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Inescapable by Canadian director, Ruba Nadda, Love is All You Need by Danish director, Susanne Bier, Antiviral by Canadian director, Brandon Cronenberg, Amour by France-based director, Michael Haneke, The Hunt by Denmark-based director, Thomas Vinterberg and Rust & Bone, by France-based director, Jacques Audiard. For a full film schedule, visit: www.atlanticfilm.com

Throughout the event, the AFF hosts several special events and parties to celebrate the movies, the people and the city of Halifax. One of the hottest events of the year is the Opening Night Party, a night for dancing shoes, fancy drinks and killer beats. This year’s bash will take place at the Cunard Centre on Thursday, Sept. 13. That’s SO Gay-la will take place at the G Lounge on Sunday, Sept. 16 and the Closing Gala Party will take place at the Lord Nelson Hotel’s Imperial Ballroom on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Other featured events for everyone to enjoy, include The Soundtracks & Stories Songwriters’ Circle taking place at The Carleton on Sunday, Sept. 16. This annual songwriter showcase will feature top Atlantic Canadian songwriters, Matt Mays, Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta), Andy Brown, John MacPhee (paper Lions) and host, Rose Cousins.

Another premiere event is the Spotlight Luncheon at the Lord Nelson on Sunday, Sept. 16. The event, focused on the concept of “What is film without music?” will feature performances by Jill Barber, Alex Madsen (The Divorcees), Christina Martin and Joel Plaskett. A very limited number of tickets are available for both of these events so don’t delay!

“The Atlantic Film Festival has a lengthy history of providing Atlantic Canadian film lovers access to not only films from around the world that are making waves but we serve an even more important function of providing exposure to our exemplary wealth of local talent,” said Wayne Carter, Executive Director. “Every year we are proud to present films that speak directly to who we are as a community and a region and this year’s offering of both Canadian and International selections is a stunner. We are a Festival for people who love movies.”

In addition to the films, special events and galas, the event hosts international film and music professionals for its conference components, Music & Image and Strategic Partners.

Building on the strength of Atlantic Canada’s musical talent and in partnership with the East Coast Music Association, Music & Image is a four-day conference offering showcases, professional development opportunities, networking sessions and one-on-one business meetings with international music buyers in the film, TV, marketing and new media industries. For more information, visit: www.atlanticfilm.com/industry/music-image

Recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent co-production markets, Strategic Partners (SP) is a one-of-a-kind event focusing on film, television and multi-platform fiction from across Canada and around the world. Hosting 200 international delegates, SP is the one-stop shop for producers, broadcasters, sales agents, financiers, distributors and film agencies. This year’s three-day event–now celebrating its 15th year–is placing the market spotlight on the UK and USA and includes nearly 1000 pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings, relevant panels, visionary keynote speakers as well as the popular Film Nova Scotia Lobster dinner.

Among the notable presenters this year will be renowned UK producer, Rebecca O’Brien, who has produced 12 of Ken Loach’s films, including this year’s opening film, The Angels’ Share. Award-winning Canadian producer, Thom Fitzgerald, will host the September 14 opening keynote, “In Candid Conversation With Rebecca O’Brien”. With Telefilm Canada as the Presenting Partner, SP helps make connections, find partners, and get projects financed and on the screen. For more information, visit: www.atlanticfilm.com/industry/strategic-partners

ViewFinders, a five-day festival of film, video and media for youth ages three to 18. Produced annually in April, by the Atlantic Film Festival, ViewFinders will also have a strong presence at the event. ViewFinders offers special screenings of feature films, shorts and a gala screening all geared towards youth and families, some of which were created by youth. For more information, visit: www.atlanticfilm.com/festivals/viewfinders

Tickets for screenings, merchandise, and special events along with ticket packages, group tickets and passes go on sale today, August 21 at 9 am. Tickets are available by phone at 902-422-6965 / 1-888-968-9090 and online at www.atlanticfilm.com or www.ticketpro.ca. Tickets are also available at all TicketPro outlets in Nova Scotia, including Video Difference (6086 Quinpool Road). Please note that TicketPro outlets accept cash or debit only. Tickets will be available at the Festival Box Office in Park Lane Mall (5657 Spring Garden Road) beginning August 30 at 9 am. For hours of operation, visit: www.atlanticfilm.com

Receive the most up-to-date information, including sneak peaks and Festival highlights on our website: atlanticfilm.com our Facebook page: facebook.com/atlanticfilmfestival and Twitter account: @thefilmfest To support these online channels, the AFF will also offer updated versions of our .mobi site and a festival app before the event to help coordinate your festival experience. In addition, the AFF is pleased to announce a new partnership this year with iTunes Canada. An Atlantic Film Festival “Super Room” will be live on iTunes where people can download the app and purchase/download past festival favourites. More details coming soon!

Another way to be part of the action is by visiting the SuperChannel Festival Lounge located at the Lord Nelson Hotel (1515 South Park Street), which is open from 12 noon to 12 midnight daily during the Festival. It is a place for the industry and the public to come together. Scheduled Q&A sessions with filmmakers, music performances along with other highlights will take place daily.

About the Atlantic Film Festival
The Atlantic Film Festival is a eight-day celebration of film, video and music from around the world. It is a festival that turns Halifax –a charming and historic seaside city – into an international mecca for the arts, abuzz with filmmakers, industry types and film lovers. What began in 1981 as a tiny, grassroots operation in St. John’s, Newfoundland has blossomed into one of Canada’s premiere film festivals. The cornerstone September Festival includes year-round industry and community events for every taste.

UPDATE August 13th:The tall ship Peacemaker has extended its stay until Monday August 20th 2012. Tours will be Tuesday, August 14 – Friday, August 17 from 1 to 6 pm. Saturday, August 18 (Dragon Boat Festival) and Sunday, August 19 from 10 am to 6 pm. Tentative leaving port on Monday Aug 20th, weather permitting.

The tall ship Peacemaker will sail into Miramichi on Wednesday, August 8th to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Miramichi Festival of Tall Ships. This is the ship’s first stop at three ports of call in New Brunswick. From Miramichi she sails on to Bathurst from August 16th – 20th and then Gaspe from August 23 – 27th.

Built in Brazil in 1986 the Peacemaker is a 150 foot Barquentine with over 10,000 square feet of sail. With a rig height of 123 feet requiring 14 feet of draft the ship’s captain, Larry Clinton, confirmed the Peacemaker will drop anchor at Station Wharf Marina in the Historic Chatham Business District of Miramichi.

The ship will offer tours Friday through Sunday, August 10th – 12th from 10am – 6pm. Boarding fees are $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, children 12 and under are admitted free, and a maximum family rate is available for $20.

The Peacemaker

Captain Clinton encourages everyone to visit. “The Peacemaker is a physical demonstration of rebirth, redemption, and dreams fulfilled. Please come to see a beautiful ship, but please don’t miss the life that fills her,” he says.

This event marks the 15th Anniversary of the Miramichi Festival of Tall Ships. In 1997 to the pleasure of thousands of spectators who lined the riverbanks, Miramichi hosted its first tall ship event with the arrival of the Bounty. Since that time Miramichi has hosted many ships such as the Picton Castle, Mist of Avalon, and the Jeanne Johnston.

The Peacemaker is open to onboard receptions after tours and those interested are encouraged to contact committee members through the City of Miramichi Tourism Department at 506-623-2150.

The New Brunswick Summer Music Festival would like to announce the second of its Artists’ Profiles on special guest artists, Montreal-based cellist Chloe Dominguez, and Nova Scotia-based violinist Robert Uchida.

The New Brunswick Summer Festival runs August 13 – 25 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This year we are featuring the music of French composer Claude Debussy and Latvian/Canadian composer Talivaldis Kenins to be performed by some of Canada’s finest professional musicians and rising stars.

You can purchase individual tickets for the Main Series Concerts, or Platinum All-Events Passes for the whole series. Special Family Ticket pricing is available for each concert – a great way to expose your kids to classical music.

Tickets or all-event passes can be purchased at the Festival office, 9 Bailey Drive, Centre for Musical Arts, Memorial Hall UNB Fredericton; Westminster Books; or can be bought online with PayPal at www.NBSummerMusicFestival.ca.

Our Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm.

Note: A limited number of passes are available.

Chloe Dominguez

Chloe Dominguez
Chloe Dominguez maintains a very active life as a cellist in the Montreal contemporary and chamber music community. Chloé completed her Ph.D. in 2009 in Performance under the guidance of Matt Haimovitz, at McGill University, where she won the largest privately funded music scholarship in Canada: the Schulich School of Music’s Golden Violin award.

Deeply committed to contemporary music, and an associate of the interdisciplinary research centre CIRMMT, Chloé is a member of the Morpheus Ensemble, the Trio Lajoie, the ensemble Spirit ‘20 and is the solo cello of the Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal and the Société de Musique Contemporaine du Québec.

As a chamber musician and soloist, Chloé has appeared at the Festival de Lanaudière, Concerts aux Iles du Bic, Montreal Chamber Music Festival, MusiMars, Domaine Forget, Festival of the Sound, Casalmaggiore, Computer Music Conference and the Orford Arts Centre.

She was a recipient of many prestigious awards and scholarships including Radio-Canada’s Jeunes Artistes and Galaxie awards, the first prize at the Festival de musique du Royaume, the Canada Council for the Arts Career Development Grant, as well as the Schulich Scholars and the Max Stern Fellowship in Music from McGill University.

Chloé is currently an Associate Professor at the Sherbrooke University and has also taught at McGill University and Bishop’s University. In September 2009, the Canada Council for the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank awarded Chloé Dominguez the 1824 McConnell Nicolaus Gagliano cello, valued at $350,000 for a period of three years. Along with her career as a performing cellist, she is a yoga practitioner and teacher. In 2011, she completed a Sadhana Yoga Chi training with Doug Swenson.

Robert Uchida

Robert Uchida
Canadian violinist Robert Uchida joined Symphony Nova Scotia in 2006 as Concertmaster and has since performed as a soloist every year. Prior to joining Symphony Nova Scotia, Robert performed as Associate Concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic in the Netherlands. In recent years he has been a featured soloist with several of Canada’s orchestras and has acted as Guest Concertmaster for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Chamber Philharmonic of the Netherlands.

Robert’s recital and chamber music performances have included prestigious venues in North America and Europe including the Lincoln Center (New York), Muziekgebouw (Amsterdam) and the Glenn Gould Studio (Toronto). He has been a guest violinist at a number of festivals and chamber music series across the country including the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival, the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, the St. Cecilia Concert Series and the Brott Festival.

An advocate of new music, Robert has worked with many prolific composers including John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour and has given the premieres of works by Augusta Read-Thomas, John Frantzen and Scott Wollschleger.

Robert has been the recipient of many prizes and awards, most notably the prestigious Hugo Kortschak Award from the Manhattan School of Music in New York and top prizes in the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition, the Canadian Music Competition and first prize in the National Arts Centre Orchestral Bursary Competition.

Currently, Robert is a member of the violin faculty at Acadia University and is Artistic Director of the Acadia Summer Strings Festival. He has previously been a faculty member of both the Manhattan School of Music and the National Arts Center’s Young Artists’ Program. Robert holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

In just six years, SappyFest has emerged as one of the most exciting and acclaimed independent music festivals in Canada. Run by artists for artists, SappyFest has developed its fanbase and reputation through innovative programming that focuses on creativity and community. The festival’s uniqueness lies in combining the atmosphere of a folk festival, with an eclectic, contemporary lineup, set against the backdrop of Sackville, New Brunswick’s historic downtown.

The undisputed queen and first lady of SappyFest returns with a new band and new songs, Sackville NB, August 3rd – 5th.

SappyFest 7 will take place August 3rd – 5th.

The main stage is presented in the centre of town on the core commercial street, with smaller adjacent venues including an outdoor bandstand, art deco theatre, turn of the century church, Royal Canadian Legion, and a haunted roadhouse, all within walking distance. For three days at the height of summer, this picturesque little maritime town comes alive with a diverse program of independent music complemented by visual art, contemporary dance, readings, a small press fair, screenings, and street market.

SappyFest 7 is excited to announce the addition of Eternal Summers, Each Other, Wet Denim, Alex Durlak, and Light Fires to the 2012 line-up. The festival has also released a promo video for this year’s festival and launched a new website.

Brooklyn, New York’s Eternal Summers with “Wonder” official music video

In addition to the fabulous musical performances, there is a delicate menagerie of other activities to participate in, including: City Mail, Sappy Times, Zine Fair, Street Market, The Talking Exploding Diamond Talk Show, Universal Dawn, Kids Corner Power Jam, Candlepin Bowling, and Cumberland County Softball.

Less than a week before the first Dieppe Circus Festival! From Wednesday July 25 to Saturday July 28, circus artists will take over the Place 1604 in Dieppe. In addition to circus and street art performances, people will have the opportunity to take workshops. This event is a collaborative effort between Circus Stella, the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre and the City of Dieppe, in partnership with local and provincial funders.

The festival will be launched on Wednesday, July 25 during the Dieppe Wednesday Shows. The public will have the opportunity to catch all the festival acts during a two-hour performance. The artists originate from a variety of regions and they include : Cirque Atlantic from Halifax, Trampo from Montréal, LaboKracBoom from Montréal, le Troisième Souffle from Australia and Québec, Florent Lestage from France, and Circus Stella from Dieppe.

On Thursday and Friday, July 26 and Saturday July 27, free busking activities will be held at Place 1604 during the afternoon. A few other activities are also programmed. Clowns, stilt walkers, jugglers and acrobats will entertain the whole family during this first circus festival in Dieppe.

Workshops
Workshops are also on the schedule of the festival. The circus artists will be offering training activities for various age groups from July 23 to July 27. Registration is coordinated by the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre and information is available on their website at www.centredesartsdieppe.ca.

UPDATE August 15, 2012 – Ticket sales for Touchdown Frye officially kick off tomorrow Thursday, August 16. The Frye Festival team will set up a kiosk in the lobby of Moncton City Hall between 11 am and 1:30 pm to launch the fundraising campaign. As of Thursday, tickets will also be sold at all three Reads locations in the Greater Moncton area (Main St, Moncton, Mountain Rd, Moncton, and Coverdale Rd, Riverview). Frye volunteers will be selling tickets this Saturday and on selected Saturdays in September at both the Dieppe and Moncton markets, and other public events including the Grey Cup train visit to Moncton in October. Also tickets are available from all Frye Festival Board members and staff.

Football fans, here’s your chance. See the Big Game, with an all-expense paid trip for two to the sold-out 100th Grey Cup game in Toronto on Sunday, November 25th courtesy of the Frye Festival.

With the generous support of the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Frye Festival is launching this contest as part of its on-going celebration of Northrop Frye’s 100th birthday. Football fans age 19 and over are invited to play Touchdown Frye. Just 1,000 Touchdown Frye tickets will be available at a cost of $20 per ticket.

“What better way to continue our celebration of the 100th anniversary of Northrop Frye’s birth than to award this fabulous prize to attend the centenary of Canada’s classic sporting event,” says Dawn Arnold, Chair of the Frye Festival. “The Festival feeds imaginations, and we are thrilled to launch this initiative with the CFL in a joint effort to celebrate a great Canadian institution. Thank you to the Canadian Football League and the City of Moncton for their support of a unique fundraiser for a unique literary festival.”

The Touchdown Frye grand prize, valued at $3,500, includes the following, courtesy of the Canadian Football League:

• Two Tickets to the 100th Grey Cup Game
• Two 100th Grey Cup Premier Football Jerseys
• One official CFL football signed by Commissioner Mark Cohon.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, August 16th. The draw will be made Thursday, October 25th. Certain restrictions will apply. The prize must be taken as offered and has no cash redemption value.

About the Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League is our league. The Grey Cup is our national championship and Canada’s largest annual single sporting event. We are proudly preparing for the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. The celebration will span the country and culminate in a tremendous festival and game in Toronto this November. We invite all Canadians to be a part of it.

About the Frye Festival
The Frye Festival is Atlantic Canada’s largest literary happening. The annual event takes place at the end of April, though the organizers also present many events throughout the year. The Festival will launch its 2012-2013 season in the fall, kicking off with the annual Community Read. Information about the Festival and its mission is available at www.frye.ca.

The Frye Festival invites everyone to a community birthday party on July 13, starting at 11 am, to celebrate Northrop Frye’s 100th birthday at the Moncton Public Library. A BBQ and cake will be served, and there will be music as well as a poetry reading.

The Frye Festival team has been looking for a way to commemorate Northrop Frye permanently for many years now. “We’re finally able to celebrate Frye’s literary heritage by giving him a special, permanent place in front of the Moncton Public Library,” says Dawn Arnold, Chair of the Frye Festival. “This public art will serve as a daily reminder of the role Frye played in the evolution of Canadian literary criticism and in Moncton’s thriving cultural community.”

Northrop Frye at home!
The Frye Festival will officially unveil the life-size bronze sculpture of Northrop Frye in front of the Moncton Public Library (Downing St. entrance). Frye will be sitting on a park bench with an open book on his lap. All are invited to come have a seat with Frye and see the work of art that commemorates Moncton’s most famous son.

A donation worth more than $40,000 to the Moncton Public Library
Before the unveiling of the sculpture, the Frye Festival in collaboration with the New Brunswick Public Library Service will announce a major donation by Robert D. Denham to the Moncton Public Library. Professor Emeritus at Roanoke College in Virginia, Robert D. Denham is donating his complete collection of books and objects that belonged to Northrop Frye, along with Frye’s manuscripts, first editions of his books and many other works that feature Frye.

“The New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation, the New Brunswick Public Library Service, and the Moncton Public Library would like thank Dr. Robert D. Denham, the foremost Northrop Frye scholar in the world, for his generous donation of one of the largest Northrop Frye collections,” says Sylvie Nadeau, Executive Director of New Brunswick Public Library Service. “This eclectic collection includes signed editions of Frye’s works including first editions, paintings and caricatures depicting Frye, audio-visual materials featuring Frye and other treasures that both researchers and the public will enjoy. A highlight of the collection is Frye’s own writing desk and chair from the upstairs room in his Toronto home, which will join Frye’s typewriter at the library. The value of the donation has been appraised at over $40,000. I would like to thank the Frye Festival organization and the Board of the Moncton Public Library for their key role in facilitating this donation.”

The Robert D. Denham Collection will be housed in the Heritage Room at the Moncton Public Library, and it will be accessible to the public. A part of the Collection will be displayed on July 13 in the lobby of the library. Professor Denham will also be on location to meet with people.

The event will also include a reading by Moncton poet Serge Patrice Thibodeau (in French) of a poem that was recently published in a special edition of the University of Toronto Quarterly dedicated entirely to Northrop Frye.

Robert D. Denham
Robert D. Denham is the Fishwick Professor of English, Emeritus, Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia. From 1986 to 1988 he was Director of English Programs and Director of the Association of Departments of English for the Modern Language Association. For twenty years prior to that he taught English and chaired the department at Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia. Denham became interested in Frye’s work in 1965 when he read Anatomy of Criticism, and he subsequently devoted much of his professional life to writing about Frye’s work. As author, editor, or compiler, he has published 26 volumes by or about Frye, devoting fifteen years to transcribing, editing, and annotating eleven volumes of The Collected Works of Northrop Frye. Denham retired from teaching in 2004 and currently lives in Emory, Virginia, in a home that he and his wife Rachel, a retired professor of art, built themselves. His two children are both academics, his son a professor of German and his daughter a professor of linguistics.

Bronze sculpture of Northrop Frye: the artists
The Frye Festival has commissioned three local artists to create a life-size bronze sculpture of Northrop Frye. The commission was awarded to Darren Byers and Fred Harrison of Byers Harrison Studios Inc. who collaborated with Janet Fotheringham.

Darren Byers has worked as a furniture maker for over 25 years and as a sculptor for the last 18 years, producing commissions and private work throughout North America and Fred Harrison has worked on many murals throughout Canada. In April 2011 Darren and Fred completed “The Workers Memorial” in Saint John, a larger than life size bronze monument to honour anyone who has suffered physical or mental injuries or who has died while on the job in the greater Saint John area. Janet Fotheringham has extensive experience in molding and casting and has been doing life sculpture since 1996. This is the first time that all three artists have collaborated.

About the Frye Festival
The Frye Festival is Atlantic Canada’s largest literary happening. The annual event takes place at the end of April, though the organizers also present many events throughout the year. This celebration of Northrop Frye’s 100th birthday concludes the Festival’s 2011-2012 season. Events will start again in the fall, kicking off with the Festival’s annual Community Read. Information about the Festival and its mission is available at www.frye.ca.

Yesterday the FredRock Festival revealed its final four acts to round out their schedule adding Poor Young Things and Matt Mays to the Friday line-up, Carleton Stone to the Saturday line-up, and announcing Steve Earl and the Dukes will close the weekend on Saturday night.

The performers join previously announced acts Walk Off the Earth, Awolnation, The Trews, The Sheepdogs, Elliot Brood, and Matthew Good for this fantastic all ages festival happening in Fredericton this summer.

Early Bird Two-Day Passes go on sale Saturday June 2nd, at 10am AST for $79.99.

Advance tickets go on sale Saturday June 16th, at 10am AST. Rates are as follows:

If available, tickets at the gate will cost more. All ticket prices are subject to taxes and fees.

FredRock Festival 2012 happens August 10th and 11th at the Fredericton Loyalist Rugby Grounds. For more information visit www.FredRockFest.com.

The Performers

A protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Steve Earle quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, The Pretenders, Joan Baez and countless others. 1986 saw the release of his debut record, Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts and immediately established the term “New Country.”

What followed was an extremely exciting and varied array of releases including the biting hard rock of Copperhead Road (1988), the minimalist beauty of Train A Comin’ (1995) the politically charged masterpiece, Jerusalem (2002) and the Grammy Award Winning albums The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007) and Townes (2009).

I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive is Steve Earle’s 14th Studio Album and features the song “This City” which has garnered both Emmy and Grammy Award nominations. The new album has been met with overwhelming critical acclaim including a 3 ½ out of 4 Star review in the Los Angeles Times while the New York Post stated that the album was “American roots music at its best” in their 3½ out of 4 star review.

I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive was released alongside his debut novel of the same name (published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). The novel imagines the troubled life of Doc Ebersole as he is haunted by the ghost of his former patient and friend, Hank Williams. Patti Smith stated, “Steve Earle brings to his prose the same authenticity, poetic spirit and cinematic energy he projects in his music. I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive is like a dream you can’t shake, offering beauty and remorse, redemption in spades.”

Recognized as an actor from the overwhelmingly acclaimed series The Wire, Steve Earle is also a cast member on HBO’s acclaimed series Treme, currently in its second season. Additionally he has appeared as an actor on Law and Order and the feature film Leaves of Grass, starring Edward Norton, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, and Keri Russell.

Steve Earle lives in New York City with his wife, the critically acclaimed singer songwriter, Allison Moorer, and their one year old son, John Henry. He will close FredRock Festival 2012 on Saturday August 11th.

Hamilton born, Halifax bred Matt Mays has made a career out of defying expectations. From his early days as a member of the seminal ‘alt-country’ group The Guthries, Mays has always zigged when the public has been expecting a zag. After departing The Guthries to embark on a solo career Matt released his self-titled debut which maintained the rootsy, laid-back feel of his earlier work but also had a decidedly more rock vibe. The solo debut caused quite a stir across Canada and went on to be nominated for two Juno Awards (New Artist & Adult Alternative Album).

Matt followed this up with the first Matt Mays & El Torpedo album, recorded with the live band he had formed to tour in support of the Matt Mays album. Matt Mays & El Torpedo quickly evolved into one of Canada’s best live acts. Produced with Grammy Award-winner Don Smith (Tom Petty, Keith Richards), the album’s first single “Cocaine Cowgirl” was a massive hit and the album went on to win four East Coast Music Awards in 2006. The band began working in the US as well, the highlight of which was an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show.

Just when everyone had him tagged as a Tom Petty inspired rock ‘n roller Mays veered off in another direction, producing the music for the ill-fated When the Angels Make Contact film. While it confounded many fans the album was a critical success and went on to be nominated for another Juno in the Adult Alternative Album of the Year category. Matt put together an eight piece band to tour the music and visuals from When The Angels Make Contact.

2008 saw the return of El Torpedo and the Terminal Romance album. Produced in the UK with producer Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Anvil) the album features the singles “Tall Trees”, “Building A Boat”, and the epic title track. Terminal Romance won the CMW Indies Award and the ECMA for Rock Album of the Year as well as fourth Juno nomination.

With the departure of a couple key members of El Torpedo in 2009, Matt opted to retire the band name but continues to perform both solo and band shows (his current band consists of Adam Baldwin, Damien Moynihan, Jay Smith, and Serge Samson). Matt Mays performs on Friday August 10th at the FredRock Festival.

Poor Young Things need no sympathy. The rock ‘n’ roll band, made up of five resourceful focused musicians, gave up a contented life in Thunder Bay, Ontario and headed for Toronto without knowing a soul. Within a year, the band had recorded with their dream producer Jon Drew (Arkells) and signed a deal with Bumstead Records. Their debut EP, Let it Sleep, a precursor to a full-length album to be released later in 2012, is an emotive working-class rock release with songs primarily about the culture shock of a big city and surviving there. Poor Young Things perform at FredRock Festival 2012 on Friday August 10th.

The charismatic performer and soulful songwriter, Carleton Stone, honed his reputation for his sweat-drenched live shows in Maritime indie clubs. Carleton’s 2009 independent album garnered an East Coast Music Award nomination (Rock Recording of the Year) and two Music Nova Scotia nominations (New Artist/ Group Recording and Pop/ Rock Artist/ Group Recording). Now he’s focused on his self-titled album produced by Hawksley Workman. The Carleton Stone band will perform on Saturday August 11th at FredRock Festival 2012.

The TBA Collective is still accepting applications for acts who wish to perform at Messtival 5. The call for submissions will remain open until May 15, 2012. Musical candidates will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of TBA Collective members and festival volunteers. Bands interested in a submitting an application are welcomed to do so at www.messtival.ca.

Messtival 5

Now in its fifth year, Messtival is a celebration of art, music, culture and moustaches! This event promises a wide variety of music from artists from Moncton, all around the Maritimes, as well as central Canada. Messtival promotes musicians, artists and entertainers, and a local culinary experience in a beautiful rural setting. Complete with camping, swimming, and lots of moustaches, these two full days of live art, live music and fun are sure to be a memorable time!

With every edition of the festival, Messtival has significantly evolved. Organizers have now acquired a permanent site for the event allowing for many improvements.

“The biggest change this year is that we’ve decided to expand to a two day event, which I believe will be a great challenge for the TBA Collective, but a good one,” explains TBA member Marc Landry.

The TBA will focus on improving infrastructure by adding more projection areas, and upgrading the campgrounds and public facilities. Mike Ritchie, the owner of the festival grounds, will perform a spectacular analog light show behind his custom built 26 foot tall arched stage. While Ritchie’s contribution to Messtival and the collective has been immeasurable, the collective also benefits from his many years of experience.

“Mike is full of such creativity and ambition. There’s stuff he comes up with that before you know it, it’s done,” says TBA’s Executive Director Jonah Haché.

As a volunteer-run non-profit organisation, TBA Collective raises funds for the festival by organizing activities and events. So far in 2012, two such events were held: the Winter Warming Dance Party, graciously sponsored by Fredericton’s Picaroons Traditional Ales and Moncton’s Film Zone; and TBA (hearts) Frye a night of live art, poetry and music.

Upcoming fundraising initiatives will include: TBA’s Summertime Box Social to take place Saturday June 23rd at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, and an event in July (details coming soon). Also, the collective is now seeking partnerships with local sponsors to help defray some of the costs of running Messtival as a two day celebration.